Switch-operating mechanism.



No. 888,605. I PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

v F. A. FRIGKER.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPL IOATION-I'ILED NOV. 29, 1907.

Swvewboz akin/mu 1n: mmms PETERS'CQ, WASHINGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 26, 1908.

Application filed November 29, 1907. Serial No. 404,393.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. FRIOKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scranton, in the county of Lackawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch- Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in switch-operating mechanisms, and has for its object the provision of means actuated by the operator u on a moving car or vehicle for automatical y throwing the switch, without getting off of the ,car.

Another object of the invention is thepeculiar construction of a manually-operated device for controlling movement of the switch-o crating device, and, furthermore, the pecu iar construction of a switch device, which is actuated by the throwing or manually-operated device carried by a movable support, as for instance, a car.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a mechanism constructed in' accordance with the present invention, parts being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of a mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the switch-operating device of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the box or receptacle of the switch-operating device. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of theswitchoperating device. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the throwing device carried by the movable support or car.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the rails of an ordinary track, and 2 the switch. A box or receptacle 3 is positioned, preferably, between the rails 1 and said box is, preferably, rectangular-shape. The box is provided with an integral, hollow sleeve or extension 4, near one end. A bar,

5, Fig. 3, is ivotally connected,'at 6, to the switch 2, an at its opposite end is pivotally connected, at 7, within the bifurcated ortion 8 of the bell-crank lever 9. The ellcrank lever 9'is pivotally mounted upon a vertical stud or pmv 10, which pin or stud is fixedly secured, at its lower end, to the bottom 11 of the box 3. In the bifurcated end 12 of the lever 9, there is pivotally secured, at 13, one end of a bar or rod 14; the opposite end of the bar or rod 14 is provided, preferably, with aging 15 and the lug 15 is pivotally mounted, at 16, within a cut-out or hollow portion 17 of the horizontal gear-mem her or wheel 18. The gear 18 is revolubly mounted upon a vertical stud or pin 19, which stud or pin is secured at its lower end to the bottom 11 of the box 3. The gearwheel 18 is also provided, upon its upper por tion, with a vertical lug or extension 20, which extension projects beyond the top 21 of the box, and is adapted to be engaged for rotating the gear within the box, and, consequently, moving the switch 2 through the medium of the rod or bar 5, lever 9 and bar or rod 14.

I provide a yielding locking device for holding the switch 1 in an opened or closed position, and this device com rises a vertical pin or stud 22 carrying abloc 23. Mounted near its outer end, upon pin 22, above the block 23, is a hollow sleeve or tubing 24. The outer end of the sleeve or tubing is partly closed, and extending through said outer end is a slidable rod 25, which rod is provided upon its inner end with a head, and is pivotally connected at its outer end 26 to a stud or lug secured to the top of the pinion 27; the pinion 27 being pivotally secured upon pin or lug 28. The pinion 27 meshes with the gearwheel 18, so that when the gear is rotated a sufficient distance to open or close the switch, the pinion 27 will temporarily lock the gear-wheel 18 in its adjusted position. This locking function is accomplished through the medium of a coil spring 28, which is positioned in the tube or hollow member 24 between the outer partly closed end and the head formed upon the rod 25. I have found from actual experience that this locking device is very efiicient in holding the switch in its adjusted position, although not interfering with the throwing of the switch, as hereinafter explained.

The top of the box rests upon the upper edges of the body and sheds any rain, snow, etc. that may be deposited thereon. The screws 29 serve as fastening means for se curing the top 21 upon the body of the box.

Thethrowing-device is carried by, preferably, the floor 30 of a car, and said device comprises a frame consisting, preferably, of the horizontal plate 31 terminating at its front end in a downwardly-extending extension or projection 32, and at its rear end in a vertical, hollow casing 33. The plate 31 is also provided with an integral sleeve 34, in Which is journaled the vertical, rotatable shoe 49.

shaft 35. end with a grip or handle 36. Fixedly secured to the lower end of shaft 35 is a horizontal, preferably, beveled gear 37. A collar 38 is carried by the shaft 35 between the hollow, vertical extension 34 and gear 37, the collar being secured in a fixed position upon said shaft 35 by any suitable fastening means, as for instance, a set-screw or bolt 39.

A shaft 40 is ournaled, at its outer end, in the lower portion of the vertical extension 32, and extends through the casing 33 and is journaled, at its rear end in said casing, Fig. 1. The shaft 40 is provided, at its front end, with a wheel 41, constituting an arm, which wheel is provided with an extension 42, having connected thereto the lower end of a coil spring 43 the upper end of the spring 43 is connected to an extension or suitable member, as for instance, a nail 44, so that the spring is normally exerting an upward pull upon the extension 42, for the purpose hereinafter mentioned. Within the casing 33, there is positioned a pinion 45, which pinion is fixedly secured to shaft 40. Within the casing, there is secured a guide-block or member 46, and upon opposite sides of the member 46 is positioned vertically-movable shoe-members 47,which are provided at their upper ends with rack )ortions 48, meshing w1th the pinion 45. decured to the lower end of each of the members 47 is a horizontal The shoes are beveled outwardly, so that upon striking the projection 20, the gear-wheel 18 will be rotated. As the inner edges of the body portions of the shoe-members are in engagement, and as the upper, inner edges of the rack portions 48 engage the guiding and filling block 46, it will be noted that these shoe-members will be guided in their vertical movement within the casing 33. By the operator rotating shaft 35, through the medium of handle 36, pinion will be rotated, causing one of the shoe-members to descend, placing the shoe thereof so as to strike the projection 20 and throw the switch Upon the operator releasing his grip upon the handle 36, the spring 43 will pull on the extension or pin 42 and cause the shaft 40 to be rotated for bringing the shoes 49 in parallel position, or in the same horizontal plane. It will be noted that the rotation of shaft 40 is accomplished through the medium of the vertical, beveled gear wheel 40, which meshes with the beveled gear 37. The gear 40 is fixed to the shaft 40.

A rear brace 50 is secured, at its upper end, to the floor 30, and, at its lower end, to the casing 31 near its lower end. Side braces 51 are secured, at their upper ends to the floor 30 and, at their lower ends, to the side of the casing near its lower end, Fig. 2. These braces materially strengthen the whole structure, as the casing 33 is reinforced at its upper sides.

The shaft is provided at its upper If it is desired to throw the switch, it is only necessary for the operator to swing the handle 36 to the right or left, and, consequently, rotate the shaft 35, thereby causing one of the shoes 49 to descend, so as to strike the projection or extension 20.

It is to be noted that the gear-wheel 18 is provided with an annular cut-away portion 18, producing an upper portion18 which constitutes a part of the top or cover 21, as said portion 18 extends into an aperture 18 formed in said cover; the lower face or bottom of the cover or top 21 rests upon the horizontal portion of the annular portion 18.

The pinion 27 constitutes a brake for retarding or normally holding the gear-wheel 18 in an adjusted position, thereby locking the switch against accidental movement.

What I claim is:

1. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a switch, of a bell-crank lever positioned contiguous to said switch, a

member pivotally connected at one end to said switch and pivotally connected at its opposite end to one end of said lever, a gearwheel, a member pivotally connected at one end to said gear-wheel and pivotally connected at its opposite end to one end of said lever, said gear-wheel provided with a vertical projection or extension, a locking device cooperating with said gear-wheel for normally holding the switch in an adjusted position, and means for engaging the extension of the gear-wheel for throwing said switch.

2. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a switch, of a lever provided with bifurcated ends, pivotally mounted contiguous to said switch, means pivotally positioned in the ends of one of said lej '1 vers and pivotally connected to the switch, a gear-wheel rotatably mounted contiguous to said lever, means pivotally connected to said gear-wheel and pivotally connected in one of the bifurcated ends of said lever, said geari wheel provided with a vertical extension or projection, a pinion meshing with said gearwheel, means retarding the rotary movement of said pinion, and means for engaging the projection of said gear-wheel for throwing said switch.

3. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a switch, of lever means positioned contiguous to said switch, means pivotally connecting said lever means to said 4. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a switch, of lever means pivotally mounted contiguous to said switch, means pivotally connected at one end to said lever means and pivotally-connected at its opposite end to said switch, a gear-wheel, means pivotally connected at one end to said lever means and pivotally connected at its other end to said gear-wheel, a rotary retarding device cooperating with said gear-wheel for holding the switch in an adjusted position, and means for rotating said gear-wheel for throwing said switch.

5. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a switch, of a box or receptacle provided with a. cover, positioned con' tiguous to said switch, a gear-wheel positioned in said box and having a circular portion extending through the cover, a vertical lug or extension integral with the extended portion of said gear-wheel and positioned offcenter thereof, means cooperating with said gear-wheel and said switch for throwing the switch when rotary movement is imparted to said gear-wheel, and means engaging said extension or lug of the gear-wheel for rotating said wheel.

6. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination of a support, of a vertical casing carried by said support, said casing closed at its top and open at its bottom, a pair of shoemembers slidably mounted within said casing, the shoe-members provided at their lower ends with shoes, the upper end of each shoe member being reduced and provided upon one of its vertical edges with a rack, a pinion positioned between the shoe-members and meshing with said racks, spacing and guiding means positioned within said casing and interposed between the racks at their upper ends, the shoe-members engaging at their lower ends, means for actuating said pinion for raising and lowering said shoemembers, a switch, means cooperating with said switch and said shoe-members for opening and closing said switch 7. In a switch-operating mechanism, the combination with a movable support, of a plate provided at one end with a vertical casing and at its opposite end with a vertical extension, said plate secured to said support, a shaft j ournaled at one end in said casing and at its opposite end insaid vertical extension,'

a gear-wheel fixedly secured to said shaft, means for rotating said gear-wheel, a switch, means cooperating with said switch for opening and closing the. same, and means posiof said link being pivotally secured to said lever means, a pinion meshing with said gearwheel, a block positioned contiguous to said pinion, a sleeve mounted upon said block, a pin extending vertically through said sleeve and into said block, said sleeve closed at its end contiguous to said pin, a rod pivotally connected at its outer end to the pinion and extending into and having its inner end positioned in the sleeve, a head upon the inner end of said rod, a spring engaging at one end the head, and at its opposite end the outer end of the sleeve, said gearwheel provided with a vertical extension contiguous to its gear teeth and formed ofl-cen ter, and means engaging the extension of the gear-wheel for throwing said switch.

9. In a switch-operatimg mechanism, the combination of a box, said box provided with a removable cover, a switch contiguous to said box, lever means in said box, means pivotally connecting said lever means to said switch, said cover provided with an enlarged cylindrical aperture, a gear-wheel positioned horizontally in said box and provided with an enlarged cylindrical, vertically-extending portion, the vertically-extending portion extending into the cylindrical aperture of the cover and closing the same, avertical extension integral with the gear-wheel contiguous to the edge of said aperture and the teeth of said wheel and formed off-center, means detachably connecting said lever means to the interior of said gear-wheel, a pinion meshing with said gear-wheel, said pinion provided with spring-controlled means for retarding rotary movement of said pinion, and means adapted to engage the extension of said gearwheel for throwing said switch.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK A. FRIOKER.

Witnesses WALTER MoNroHoL, WALTER EDMUNDs. 

